The heavy front doors swung open again as Dr. Roberts entered the sunlit hallway, accompanied by two uniformed police officers and two medical technicians carrying emergency testing equipment.
Dr. Roberts: Mr. Vance! We came as fast as we could. Is Mrs. Vance safe?
Julian: She is right here, Dr. Roberts. Please test this amber bottle immediately. My mother has been mixing its contents into my wife's morning juice.
The lead police officer stepped toward Evelyn, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his tactical belt with a solemn expression.
Officer Miller: Evelyn Vance, you are being placed under arrest for suspected poisoning, elder abuse, and attempted corporate fraud.
Evelyn: Keep your hands off me! Do you have any idea who I am? I know the city police chief personally!
Officer Miller: The chief signed off on this warrant himself ten minutes ago, ma'am. You have the right to remain silent.
Evelyn struggled against the officer's grip, but he swiftly turned her around, snapping the cold steel cuffs securely around her wrists.
Evelyn: Julian! Stop them! Tell them it was an accident! Tell them I was just trying to help!
Julian: I will be giving the district attorney every piece of evidence from my briefcase, Evelyn. You will never set foot in this home again.
Evelyn: You ungrateful child! I gave you everything! I built your life!
Julian: You tried to steal my wife's life for money. Take her away, Officer.
The two police officers guided the shouting woman through the double doors, her loud protests fading down the grand stone driveway as she was placed into the back of the patrol vehicle.
Dr. Roberts finished a quick chemical strip test on the contents of the brown glass bottle, turning to Julian with a grave nod.
Dr. Roberts: The test is positive for high doses of neuromuscular blocking agents. This drug directly prevents motor signals from reaching the lower limbs. It explains why her legs weren't recovering.
Julian: Will the effects wear off completely now that she's stopped taking it?
Dr. Roberts: Yes. Without daily doses, the compound will fully leave her system within forty-eight hours. With proper physical therapy, Mrs. Vance should be walking again within a few weeks.
Chloe let out a long breath of pure relief, tears of real happiness streaming down her face as she looked up at her husband.
Chloe: I can really walk again? I'm not permanently disabled?
Julian: You are going to recover completely, Chloe. Nobody will ever hurt you in this house again.
Julian leaned down, wrapping his arms securely around Chloe and lifting her off the couch to hold her close against his heart.